Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI Treatment)

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection a procedure where a single sperm is selected and delivered directly into a woman’s egg. ICSI is an effective option for men with subnormal semen parameters such as a very low sperm count, impaired sperm function, or in cases of previously failed fertilization.

The cost of ICSI Treatment is very competitive at IVF Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. During IVF process once the egg is retrieved, a semen sample is collected from the male partner and delivered to the lab. Alternatively, for patients with problems such as male factor, we may elect to use intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to assist the fertilization process. After 18 hours, the eggs are examined for markers of successful fertilization. If normal fertilization occurs, then two to three of the resulting embryos will be selected and placed in the woman’s uterus. Embryos are normally transferred between two to five days after the egg pickup.

Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm injection (ICSI) is an advanced IVF technique, which has revolutionized the treatment of male infertility. It has raised hopes of many men who previously had a little or no chance of fathering their own children. The eggs are retrieved in the same way as in IVF but the sperm retrieved from the husband is injected directly into the egg. It is usually recommended for men with only testicular sperms or extremely low counts or motility. This procedure is also used in couples whom fertilization in previous cycles was not successful. We also perform surgical retrieval of sperm from the testis in men who have no sperm in their ejaculates. Sperm can either be aspirated from testicular tissue (TESA) or surgically extracted in the form of a biopsy (TESE) or aspirated from the epididymis (PESA). These techniques coupled with IVF-ICSI offer a chance to men with complete azoospermia to father their own offspring.

At our centre ICSI is done with sperms which are obtained from any of the following sources:

Ejaculated sample of semen

From urine in case of retrograde ejaculation

TESE: Testicular sperm extraction

TESA: Testicular aspiration

PESA: Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration

At IVF Sir Gangaram Hospital in cases where testicular sperms have to be used in their collection is done by a trained Fertility Specialist in Delhi under local anesthesia in the IVF Lab. In all cases who are to undergo TESE/ TESA/PESA a diagnostic sperm retrieval is done in advanced before starting ovarian stimulation for IVF and if the sample is satisfactory it is frozen and preserved to be used during IVF ICSI, otherwise, a fresh sample is taken again. Note that not all eggs fertilize and not all fertilized eggs or ‘zygotes’ grow into good quality embryos. The embryos, which show slower development or get arrested, are discarded.

At present the hospital cost one cycle of IVF is Rs. 66,000, Rs. 35,000- Rs. 45000 are required for the purchase of injections. In the case of ICSI is required, the cost of ICSI at our centre in Delhi will be Rs. 20,000 which can be added to IVF treatment. These charges may be revised every 3 years as per hospital policy.